DOVER — The region continued Saturday making preparations for the arrival of Hurricane Sandy, dubbed “Frankenstorm,” for its expected combination of tropical storm and Nor'easter-like weather pounding the area starting Monday.

Senior Meteorologist Mike Kistner with the National Weather Service said the now Category 1 hurricane will bring stormy conditions to the area, starting Monday afternoon and continuing into Tuesday, with gusts of wind up to 70 mph and large amounts of rain.

“Whatever people call it, they've still got to know, it's a very intense system, no matter what,” he said.

Meteorologist Andy Pohl said the storm will likely make contact with the U.S. in New Jersey first.

“We're trying to impress upon people whereever the storm makes landfall is not as important…,” Pohl said. “It's a very large storm, and extends hundreds of miles … Much of southern New England will be affected.”

Sandy is currently making a path north of the Caribbean, where it left nearly 60 people dead. Many in the New England area are preparing for what some say may be the worst storm experienced in recent memory.

Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH) reported they have additional crews on standby in the event of power outages, as well as additional tree staff to tend to downed branches. They advised residents to not park their cars underneath trees, to avoid damage.

Somersworth has announced a storm shelter will be available at the high school during the storm.

Several communities have moved their planned trick-or-treating times to Sunday evening. Hampton has rescheduled for Sunday, Oct. 28, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. along with Newmarket, from 5 to 8 p.m., Kittery, Maine, from 5 to 8 p.m., Rollinsford from 4 to 7 p.m. and Lee, from 5 to 7 p.m.

North Hampton Emergency Management urges all traffic to avoid Ocean Boulevard (Rte. 1A) during the storm, saying they have concerns for rocks, large stones, and other debris launching onto the roadway.

The storm has had an impact on political plans, too.

The storm forced the presidential campaign to juggle schedules. Romney scrapped plans to campaign Sunday in the swing state of Virginia, and switched his schedule for the day to Ohio. First Lady Michelle Obama has also cancelled her appearance at a grassroots event for Tuesday at University of New Hampshire (UNH) in Durham, where the campus has already announced closures for Tuesday and Wednesday this week.